Having safe and affordable housing is every individual’s dream. Georgia works to provide housing assistance to its residents facing challenges in finding a safe place to live in.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
The goal of DCA is to provide safe and affordable housing to the residents of Georgia, no matter their income or community. The DCA works in collaboration with local governments, community groups, housing authorities, for-profit, and not-for-profit organizations, as long as landlords throughout the State to ensure all housing and community needs of Georgians are met.
Georgia Dream Homeownership program
Do you ever dream of buying your first home? The Georgia Dream Homeownership program works to make your dream fulfilled! The program is committed to providing affordable mortgage financing for eligible homebuyers in Georgia. We both know that settling down payment is often challenging, especially for low-income earners. This program can support you and ensure part of your down payment is covered. Are you interested in buying a home through the Georgia Dream program? Well, please visit https://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/homeownership/georgia-dream/homebuyers.
Housing Counselor Resources and Training
Of course, the process of buying a home can be complex, confusing, and challenging. Do you need some advice to help you achieve your homeownership dream? The DCA in Georgia works to offer you counseling, training, and the resources that may support you in your quest. Whether you have questions about maintaining your current home or simply want guidance on how to go about owning a new home, you can’t miss out on DCA. The DCA is committed to educating future homeowners concerning the responsibilities that await them. It also provides Home Buyer Education online through E-Home America, a program accessible at http://app.ehomeamerica.org/DCA. The department partners with local counseling agencies throughout the State to ensure individuals get the support they need before owning a home. For more information, please visit https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/homeownership/housing-counselor-resources-training.
Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC)
The Housing Tax Credit program allocates tax credits to landlords of qualified rental properties who have rented part of all of their units to low-income tenants. Funds are available through this program, and applicants can qualify for up to 9% tax credits. Funds for this program are allocated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs through Georgia Housing and Finance Authority. The process for funds allocation is outlined in Georgia’s Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). QAP describes the housing resources available from both the state and the federal government, the requirement for the location of housing in question, the criteria used to evaluate applications, and the compliance requirements and procedures of the program. Please visit https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/rental-housing-development/housing-tax-credit-program-lihtc for more information.
The Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP)
CHIP grants HOME funds to local governments, a non-profit organization, and public housing authorities who use the funds to develop single-family homes for sale to eligible homebuyers. The program also provides other housing services, including rehabilitation and new construction of homes. For housing rehabilitation, the program allocates grants of up to $400,000. New construction of homes receives grants of up to $600,000. Find out more at https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/rental-housing-development/home-investment-partnership-program-home-1.
Homeless and Special Needs Housing
People experiencing homelessness in Georgia are assisted through the State’s Continuum of Care Network. 8 CoCs provide homelessness assistance to residents. https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/homeless-special-needs-housing/i-am-homeless-need-help shows the list of CoC contacts listed by county. Do you want to identify the local homeless services access points? Please visit https://georgia-dca.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1d28c562b3ba4390a66640db23f713fe.
The GHFA Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program
PSH was formerly known as Shelter Plus Care. The program provides permanent housing and other supportive services to disabled individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Also, the program provides rental assistance, which is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as well as other services funded from other sources. The GHFA PSH program is specifically designed for people considered traditionally hard to reach, such as homeless individuals with disabilities, including serious mental illness, chronic substance abuse, AIDS, and related illnesses. The goal is to help homeless individuals regain stability, income, and self-sufficiency in their lives. Find out more at https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/homeless-special-needs-housing/ghfa-psh-formerly-known-shelter-plus-care.
Home Access Program
The DCA’s Home Access Program was established to promote independence among people with disabilities by enabling them to reside in their own homes without having to be taken care of in nursing homes. The program also assists those in nursing homes to transit back to their own homes. Are you willing to apply for a grant through this program? Well, please contact the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission at dph-info-bsitf@dph.ga.gov. You can also reach them by contacting 1-888-233-5760. The applicants can receive grants of up to $10,000 to allow them to reside in their homes, away from nursing homes. Please visit https://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/homeless-special-needs-housing/home-access-program to learn more about the program.
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
HMIS is designed to provide accurate information concerning the number of homeless individuals and households in the community. The Continuum of Care implements the HMIS system to report jurisdictional data and also to contribute data to the upcoming Annual Homeless Assessment Report. All homeless and shelter service providers are required to participate in the program. Organizations receiving public funds are not restricted to participate and therefore can do so willingly. Do you wish to participate? Please contact the Continuum of Care at https://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/HousingDevelopment/programs/documents/GA-CoC-Contacts.pdf for your locality.
Reentry Partnership Housing (RPH)
The RPH program was established as a means to provide housing assistance to individuals under probation supervision of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) who valid residence plans. Such individuals have either been released from prison or are active participants in an Accountability Court. These individuals can qualify for stable housing and access to food. The RPH service providers support them in accessing the assistance they need. This program is committed to providing short-term housing assistance for up to six months to help individuals regain stabilization and reduce their ability to reconducting crime. The program is a result of a collaboration between several state agencies, including the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS), the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), and the Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ). The goal is for individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and connect them with local resources. For more information, please visit https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/homeless-special-needs-housing/reentry-partnership-housing-rph.
Georgia Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Georgia LIHEAP is committed to providing financial assistance to low-income households experiencing heating and cooling emergencies in their homes. The program also offers long-term and low-cost residential weatherization. The program’s assistance reduces safety and health hazards, including fire, illness, or disconnections. Who is eligible for the Georgia LIHEAP? Well, you need to be a U.S. citizen or documents that prove your legal residence. Ensure that your annual income does not exceed 60% of the State Median income. You must demonstrate the ability to pay the energy bill for the primary home heating source. You should also be disabled, elderly, or experiencing life-threatening circumstances such as heating or cooling emergencies. For more information, please visit https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap/
Georgia’s Section 8 Housing Program
Also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the section 8 housing program in Georgia assist low-income families and individuals have access to decent, quality, and affordable housing in the private rental market. The program is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). It was established in 1974, under the Housing and Community Development Act, and is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The goal is to enhance housing conditions while maintaining the affordability of the housing to the low-income earners. The program also works to promote fair housing and freedom of housing choice to the participants of the Section 8 Housing in Georgia. Visit https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/rental-housing-assistance/housing-choice-voucher-program-formerly-known to learn more about the program.
The USDA’s Single-Family Housing Direct Home Loans in Georgia
This program is committed to providing payment assistance to low-income, disabled, seniors, and displaced individuals and families. The goal is to enable them to obtain safe, decent, and affordable housing while increasing the individuals’ repayment ability. The assistance reduced the monthly mortgage or rent paid to the participants of the program. The amount of assistance applicants receives depends on the income and the size of the household. For more information, please visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-direct-home-loans/ga.
USDA’s Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Alabama
The program provides repair loans and grants to eligible individuals and families who meet the low-income limits in their areas. The goal is to enable eligible persons to obtain safe and quality housing. The loans provided can be used to repair and renovate the homes of qualified individuals while the grants are given to the elderly to help them remove health and safety hazards from their homes. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/al for more information about the program.